Automatically configured hydraulic support pillow

ABSTRACT

A pillow providing automatic adjustment of exterior dimensions to accommodate the shape and weight of the head of a user placed upon it. The pillow employs at least one reservoir chamber which provides liquid to at least one communicating receiving chamber through a conduit therebetween. Flow of the fluid is regulated to flow in one direction until the two chambers equalize and provide the desired head support dimensional characteristics to the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to but is not limited to the field ofpillows, cushions, mattresses and other reclinatory furniture devices ofany type attached or otherwise utilizing a centrally placed, variablyflexible, valved, single or multi-chambered, liquid-filled,hydraulically activated and valvically controlled method for support ofthe head or body. Devices such as those described herein are intendedprimarily for use during periods of travel, relaxation, reconstitutionand rehabilitation and for potential orthopedic enhancements therein.

2. Prior Art

There is a substantial amount of prior art relating to the field ofergonomic, orthopaedic and other types of cranial, cervical and generalphysical support devices for the human body. Generally speaking, thehistorical intent and direction of these efforts is to provide supportfor the head, neck and spine which simulates the optimal positionattainable when the person is standing or sitting during waking hours.Many of these devices are formed from types of enclosed plastic foams.Others are essentially ergonomically shaped containers of grain or sand.Most if not all of this type are by nature asymmetrically shaped, havinga lower portion that is thicker for neck support. Such pillows also havean upper portion that is thinner for support of the head and necessarilyrepresented as possessing a definable top surface portion and adefinable bottom surface portion. Other theorists have used an approachinvolving various gas and/or liquid filled bladders and often providingsome user initiated and directed capability for affecting the overallfirmness of the device.

Some previously proposed configurations combine many or all of thesequalities at once with more or less success. As shall be demonstrated indetail below, all of the noted approaches suffer from one or another ofthese shortfalls which detracts from the efficacy of a device of thetype as is herein described.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,708,999 filed Jan. 20, 1998, describes a support pillowcomposed of a top portion surfaced by a bolster covering shaped aspreviously indicated and a bottom portion described as an inflatableunder-pillow composed of a plurality of parallel rows of fluidlycommunicating air chambers interconnected with one another through meansof headers. A nozzle connecting a header to an air source could beutilized by the user to alter the pressure in the entire body of thechambers in order to raise or lower the height at which the top portionrests.

As can be seen, the basic shape of the device described by this patentis the key impediment against general implementation. This is becauseuse of the device requires it to be in only one position which is anergonomically shaped bolster component on the top with the inflatableheader-chamber support component lying below it. While the inflatablecomponent allows control of the setting of the height of the neck andhead support functions of the bolster component and is a key intent ofthe design, it creates a problem with utilization of the device otherthan as designed for top surface over bottom surface configuration. Theresult is a device that cannot be used upside down and still provide theexpected benefits. In addition, there is no method for altering thefirmness of the bolster component.

As can be imagined, both the fixed usage position attribute and thefixed firmness of the bolster can be a distraction at the least and anannoyance at best since one is restricted to such positions andresultant comfort levels as are allowed by the design.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,771,514 filed on Jun. 30, 1998, envisioned as anadjustable contour pillow addresses the second issue of the firmness ofthe head to pillow interface, but like all of the contour pillowsidentified it leaves the primary issue of asymmetrical or bottom overtop use unresolved as it has a defined top surface and bottom surface.In this concept multiple, individually adjustable, inflatable, internalchambers utilize air or some other fluid and an externally induced meansof compressing this fluid to provide variable levels of firmness andsupport in the top laterally oriented chambers of the device such asthose beneath the head and neck.

In one embodiment, the device is additionally proposed to incorporateheating, cooling and massage mechanisms, to store user preferences andother capabilities through means of an attached or detachable motor,control box and AC electrical connections or batteries.

Portability of this configuration of the device for the elderly orimpaired, even if powered by batteries, is severely impacted as a resultof this electrical requirement, and this would reduce opportunities foruse in areas where electrical connections are inconvenient orunavailable. Previously noted shortfalls of this conception are presentin this exemplification as well.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,415, an inflatable cervical pillow formed of anairtight and watertight thermoplastic material comprises an associationof variably shaped water chambers including valves and interlocking airchambers including valves, flexibly fitted with one another such thatpressure upon the surface of the device, using the physical interactionbetween the different chambers resulting from the differing densities ofair and fluids, effects changes in the firmness and support vectorsprovided to the head.

This invention provides the necessary variable firmness and support ofthe head by exploiting the differing densities and resultantinteractions of gases and fluids, sometimes in combination, withinseparate, pressurized, interrelated contained spaces.

An obvious drawback to an innovation of this type is, of course, themanufacturing complexity of a design in which multiple chamberscontaining different substances must interact, interface, remainintegral, and which require optimal positioning with one another duringuse. Additionally, as specified in the various provided drawings andverbiage, this device also has a shape incorporating an identifiable topsurface and a bottom surface and an identifiable front end and rear end.As a result, in addition to issues of comfort, the internal valvingmechanisms used to alter firmness based on pressure differentials cannotfunction if the device were to be inverted. This fixed position usageproblem has been a significant shortfall present in all previous designsof this type seen and noted.

U.S. patent application publication No. US 2002/0078507 identifies apillow including a plurality of variably inflatable bladders surroundedby a resilient layer, that layer potentially being further surrounded bya less dense resilient layer and optionally provided with an integralhand pump for inflation purposes.

This approach is primarily intended to resolve one recurring problemwith other concepts including that of the inability of previous designsto consider two sided use.

The physical attributes of the device can be described as symmetricalwith respect to one axis so that the device may be turned over and usedon both sides. When not inflated and viewed from above or below, theshape could be described as a rectangle. When viewed uninflated fromeither side, a similar rectangle would be perceived. Subsequent toinflation of this device, a top or bottom view still exemplifies arectangular shape.

A perspective side view of this concept in an inflated condition would,however, convey an image of two parallel cylindrical channels with anidentifiable larger elongated lower cylinder on one edge for the supportof the neck and an identifiable elongated smaller upper cylinder forsupport of the head on the other edge, each laterally extended acrossthe device. A method of selectively modifying pressure within eachchamber is provided via reticulation of an integral pump and valveassembly similar to that found in athletic shoes.

Though this device resolves the issue of two sided use, it stillconsists of a designated top edge and a designated bottom edgerespectively such that as a result of design it cannot be easilyinverted as the cylindrical internal bladders contained therein possesssignificantly different internal diameters. Additionally, changes to thefirmness of the bladders require manual reticulation of the air chamberpressurizing valve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Based on the hydraulic effect of Pascal's Principle that an enclosedfluid under pressure exerts that pressure throughout its volume andagainst any surface in which it is contained, the device hereindisclosed is a multi-chambered hydraulic pillow using differently shapedand sized, variably elastic internal chambers combined with a pluralityof internal valves which automatically control, communicate, balance andcontain the flows of the liquid and differences in pressure andresulting changes in the external dimensions provided by the changes inthe variably elastic flexible chambers.

The basis for all hydraulic systems is expressed by Pascal's law whichstates that anywhere upon an enclosed liquid is transmitted undiminishedin all directions to the interior of the container. This principalallows large forces to be generated with relatively little effort. Inthe case of the device herein, the force generated in a second chamberby the projecting portion of the top of the user's head will communicateliquid therefrom into a first chamber through a back flow control valve.The first chamber upon filling will exert force on the back of the headand neck of the user and will cease accepting fluid from the smallerchamber once the pressure in the two equalize.

Since the second chamber of the pillow will collapse from the weight andarea of the projecting top end displacing fluid, the first chamber willenlarge to fill the voids of the back of the head and neck, below thetop of the head. As depicted in all the current favored embodiments, thesecond chamber is smaller than the first chamber, and this configurationworked well due to the dimensional characteristics of the back of thehuman head. However, the relative size of the two chambers could bereversed or equal and they still adjust. This operation is initiated bysimply laying one's head on the pillow and automatically providesoptimal comfort and conforming support for the neck, head or otherextremities using only the pressure generated on the surface of thedevice by the mass of a user's head. To accomplish this task bothchambers of the device are best filled with water or some other liquidor a gel. In the case of a gel, such a medium would minimize anypotential noise from air gaps in the system as well as minimize movementof the head. Both chambers should also be elastic such that they willshrink as fluid leaves the chamber and enlarge with the entry of morefluid and avoid air pockets. However, the smaller chamber could beflexible plastic since the walls would only need to collapse in use asfluid is pumped into the larger chamber.

With respect to the above description, before explaining at least onepreferred embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understoodthat the invention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and to the arrangement of the components or steps set forthin the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The variousapparatuses and methods of the invention are capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways whichwill be obvious to those skilled in the art once they review thisdisclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein are for the purpose of description andshould not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptionupon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basisfor designing of other devices, methods and systems for carrying out theseveral purposes of the present disclosed device. It is important,therefore, that the objects and claims be regarded as including suchequivalent construction and methodology insofar as they do not departfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Further objectives of this invention will be brought out in thefollowing part of the specification wherein detailed description is forthe purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placinglimitations thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the top surface of the hydraulic pillowaccording to the invention showing the exterior cover.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are top and side cross-sectional views of an embodimentof the hydraulic pillow according to the invention showing multiplechambers in a static state.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show the chambers of FIGS. 2 a and 2 b respectively in acompressed state.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the hydraulic pillow engaging theback of the head, the neck, and the topmost spine of the user.

FIG. 4B is a vector diagram showing the force vectors of the hydraulicpillow when in use.

FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of the device with multiple communicatingreservoir and receding chambers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSED DEVICE

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-5 disclose the preferredembodiments of the herein disclosed pillow device 10. FIG. 1 depicts apreferred embodiment of the operating concept of the valved hydraulicsupport pillow device 10 of the invention which is described as composedof multiple self-contained fluid or gas filled elastic chambers, asshown in FIG. 2A, including first chamber 12 and a second chamber 14.The two chambers communicate with each other through a conduit 17 whichalso employs a means to control fluid flow direction from the secondchamber 14 only toward the first chamber 12, which in this case is avalve 16 allowing fluid flow only in one direction toward first chamber12 when in contact with a person's head 22 and internal pressures of thetwo chambers are not equalized. As shown in FIG. 1, there is an example,in this case asymmetrical, of a preferred embodiment of the device 10 asviewed from above and from the outside as it would appear once the userhad self-adjusted the device by lying down to move fluid between thechambers until the internal pressure equalized.

FIG. 2A depicts a cut-away view of a preferred embodiment of thehydraulic pillow device 10 showing the internal chambers in a static oruncompressed state and from overhead. Both chambers as shown areelongated and cylindrical in dimension as this shape has been found towork well in elongated pillows.

As shown, the device features two or more chambers depicted as firstchamber 12 which worked best in a configuration where it was larger thana second chamber 14. The larger volume of the first chamber 12 moreeasily accommodates the void on the back of the head below theprojecting top of the head on most persons. Both the first chamber 12and a second chamber 14 are both made of a flexible elastic materialthrough which a fluid substance 26 can communicate and be stored longterm without leakage. Directional control of the fluid flow is providedby the valve mechanism 16 positioned in internal passage of the conduit17 communicating between the first chamber 12 and second chamber 14.

FIG. 2B is a side cross-sectional internal side view of an embodiment ofthe hydraulic pillow 10 along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing the twochambers in the initial static uncompressed state. The first chamber 12and a depicted smaller second chamber 14, are both formed of a flexibleor elastic material capable of containing the fluid without leakages.

FIG. 3A depicts the hydraulic pillow device 10 as viewed internally in astate of initial compression which occurs when the user lies their headon top of the device 10 the projecting top end of the user's head, andrecessed neck portion of the head, contact the top of the pillow device10. As shown, a first chamber 12 and a second chamber 14 would be madeof a flexible or elastic material to allow for reduction in size of thesecond chamber 14 and increase in size of the first chamber 12. Arrowsdescribe the effects of Pascal's principle on the inner surfaces of therespective chambers 12 and 14 which result in the ultimate exteriordimensional adjustments of the pillow to the user's head dimensions.

In the depicted preferred embodiment's of the device 10, when the userlies their head on the top of the exterior of the device 10, the forcegenerated in the smaller chamber by the weight and dimensions of theprojecting portion of the top of the user's head will cause liquid toexit the second chamber 14 and communicate through the conduit 17 andin-line valve 16, and into the first chamber 12. A mechanical advantagefor weight lifting and support, from the larger size of the firstchamber 12, is believed to be also at work in supporting the user's neckand lower head from the increase in fluid pushed into the first chamber12 from the second chamber 14. The first chamber 12 upon filling to apoint that an even contact is made with the user's head will exert forceon the back of the head and neck of the user resulting in anequalization of the pressure between the two chambers and will ceaseaccepting any additional fluid from the second chamber 14 once thatpressure equalizes.

Because the second chamber 14 of the pillow will collapse from theweight and actual projecting area of the top end of the user's headdisplacing fluid, the first chamber 12 will then enlarge to fill thevoids of the back of the head and neck, below the top of the head.Pillow size and dimension adjustment is caused by simply lying one'shead on the pillow and automatically provides optimal comfort andconforming support for the neck, head or other extremities using onlythe pressure generated on the surface of the device by the mass of auser's head.

As noted, the fluid material of choice for both chambers of the device10 is water or some other inert liquid or a gel. Gel would be especiallyadvantageous because of its ability to minimize noise from air gaps inthe system and provide a shock absorber of sorts that thinner waterlacks. Both chambers should in the preferred mode of the device beformed like a bladder made of elastic material which will shrink asfluid leaves the respective chamber and enlarge with the entry of morefluid. This avoids noisy air pockets as well as the lack of supportcaused by air in the system.

FIG. 3B is a side cross-sectional internal view of an embodiment of thehydraulic pillow 10 depicting the compressed state of the two chambersin dotted line. As shown, first chamber 12 has compressed in size fromits original static position shown in dotted line and the second chamber14 under the void of the neck has enlarged in size from its originalposition shown in dotted line. The elastic walls forming both chambersaccommodate the dimensional changes of each. Fluid transfer isaccommodated from one chamber to the other through the conduit 17 andback flow from the first chamber 12 to the second chamber 14 isprevented by the one way valve 16. This means for back flow preventionsalso maintains the two chambers in their respective sizes after theadjustment by preventing the elastic walls of the chambers from exertingforce into the fluid and moving it back between them. This keeps thepillow permanently adjusted after use. As shown in this figure, arrowsdescribe the effects of Pascal's principle on the bladder like chambersand their respective increase and decrease in dimension.

Of course there are times when the pillow needs readjustment for a newperson or just because the same person wants a change. This would beaccommodated by providing a means to override the valve 16 and allowback flow such as a release 19 shown as a button on the valve 16 whichcan be activated from the exterior of the device 10, without the need toopen it, when the user wants to allow back flow of fluid into the secondchamber 14 from the second chamber 12.

FIG. 4A is a cross sectional view of the hydraulic pillow device 10depicting a person's head 22 in a supine position and about to bepositioned upon the multiple chambers 12 and 14 and interconnectingvalve 16. In reference to FIG. 4B, a side viewed cross section of anembodiment of the invention 10 displays the force vectors resulting fromfluid movement between the first chamber 12 and the smaller secondchamber 14 when the top outwardly curved section of the user's headcompresses the second chamber 14.

Finally, it has been found that the optional addition of padding 23 tothe voids in the internal cavity formed by the covering 20 can beadvantageous. Such padding 23 works especially well if it is memory foamthat reacts to the heat of the user and forms to their anatomy. Howeverany one or combination of a variety of padding materials can be includedsuch as foam, batting, down, and feathers. The expansion and contractionof the size of the two chambers will continue to work well with the foam22 included in the voids between them and in the rest of the cavitydefined by the covering 20.

Although the invention has been described with respect to particularembodiments thereof, it should be realized that various changes andmodifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. While the invention as shown in the drawings anddescribed in detail herein discloses arrangements of elements ofparticular construction and configuration for illustrating preferredembodiments of structure and method of operation of the presentinvention, it is to be understood, however, that elements of differentconstruction and configuration and other arrangements thereof, otherthan those illustrated and described, may be employed in accordance withthe spirit of this invention. Any and all such changes, alternations andmodifications, as would occur to those skilled in the art, areconsidered to be within the scope of this invention as broadly definedin the appended claims.

Further, the purpose of the attached abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure ofthe application. The abstract is neither intended to define theinvention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is itintended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

1. A pillow comprising: a covering layer defining an exterior surface of a pillow and an interior cavity of said pillow; said pillow having at least one reservoir chamber defined by a reservoir sidewall, housed in said interior cavity; said pillow having at least one receiving chamber housed in said cavity; a conduit communicating between said reservoir chamber and said receiving chamber thereby providing a flowpath for fluid therebetween; means to prevent flow of said fluid from said receiving cavity to said reservoir cavity; said reservoir chamber being compressible by a human head to thereby force fluid container therein into said receiving chamber; said receiving chamber formed of a sidewall defining an interior cavity having a total volume; said sidewall being elastic to thereby provide a means to increase in size to increase said total volume of said interior cavity of said receiving chamber to accommodate said fluid received from said reservoir chamber; said exterior surface of said pillow adjacent to said receiving chamber increasing in size in direct proportion to any increase in said total volume of said interior cavity of said receiving chamber; and whereby the head of a user contacting said reservoir chamber imparting force upon said reservoir chamber will cause said receiving chamber to enlarge thereby dimensioning said exterior surface to a shape similar to the shape of said head.
 2. The pillow of claim 1 additionally comprising: means to prevent fluid flow from said receiving chamber back into said reservoir chamber.
 3. The pillow of claim 1 further comprising: said reservoir sidewall being formed of elastic material to thereby increase and decrease the size of said reservoir chamber in proportion to the amount of said fluid remaining in said reservoir chamber.
 4. The pillow of claim 2 further comprising: said reservoir sidewall being formed of elastic material to thereby increase and decrease the size of said reservoir chamber in proportion to the amount of said fluid remaining in said reservoir chamber.
 5. The pillow of claim 1 further comprising: means to override said means to prevent flow of said fluid from said receiving cavity to said reservoir cavity and thereby allow said fluid to flow from said receiving chamber to said reservoir chamber; and said means to override being user activateable from the exterior of said covering layer.
 6. The pillow of claim 2 further comprising: means to override said means to prevent flow of said fluid from said receiving cavity to said reservoir cavity and thereby allow said fluid to flow from said receiving chamber to said reservoir chamber; and said means to override being user activateable from the exterior of said covering layer.
 7. The pillow of claim 3 further comprising: means to override said means to prevent flow of said fluid from said receiving cavity to said reservoir cavity and thereby allow said fluid to flow from said receiving chamber to said reservoir chamber; and said means to override being user activateable from the exterior of said covering layer.
 8. The pillow of claim 4 further comprising: means to override said means to prevent flow of said fluid from said receiving cavity to said reservoir cavity and thereby allow said fluid to flow from said receiving chamber to said reservoir chamber; and said means to override being user activateable from the exterior of said covering layer.
 9. The pillow of claim 1 further comprising: said fluid being a gel.
 10. The pillow of claim 2 further comprising: said fluid being a gel.
 11. The pillow of claim 3 further comprising: said fluid being a gel.
 12. The pillow of claim 4 further comprising: said fluid being a gel.
 13. The pillow of claim 1 further comprising: said fluid being a gel.
 14. The pillow of claim 1 further comprising: said reservoir chamber being smaller than said receiving chamber; and means for mechanical advantage to lift said head provided by said receiving chamber when receiving said fluid communicated from said reservoir chamber.
 15. The pillow of claim 2 further comprising: said reservoir chamber being smaller than said receiving chamber; and means for mechanical advantage to lift said head provided by said receiving chamber when receiving said fluid communicated from said reservoir chamber.
 16. The pillow of claim 1 further comprising: said pillow bing self adjusting to the to a cooperative shape similar to the dimensions of the head of said user placed upon it; said self adjustment provided by equalization of fluid pressure in said receiving chamber to that of said reservoir chamber when said covering layer contacts said head of said user thereby ceasing flow from said reservoir chamber to said receiving chamber.
 17. The pillow of claim 2 further comprising: said pillow bing self adjusting to the to a cooperative shape similar to the dimensions of the head of said user placed upon it; said self adjustment provided by equalization of fluid pressure in said receiving chamber to that of said reservoir chamber when said covering layer contacts said head of said user thereby ceasing flow from said reservoir chamber to said receiving chamber; and said cooperative shape being maintained when said head is removed from said covering layer by said means to prevent fluid flow from said receiving chamber back into said reservoir chamber.
 18. The pillow of claim 3 further comprising: said pillow bing self adjusting to the to a cooperative shape similar to the dimensions of the head of said user placed upon it; and said self adjustment provided by equalization of fluid pressure in said receiving chamber to that of said reservoir chamber when said covering layer contacts said head of said user thereby ceasing flow from said reservoir chamber to said receiving chamber.
 19. The pillow of claim 4 further comprising: said pillow bing self adjusting to the to a cooperative shape similar to the dimensions of the head of said user placed upon it; said self adjustment provided by equalization of fluid pressure in said receiving chamber to that of said reservoir chamber when said covering layer contacts said head of said user thereby ceasing flow from said reservoir chamber to said receiving chamber; and said cooperative shape being maintained when said head is removed from said covering layer by said means to prevent fluid flow from said receiving chamber back into said reservoir chamber.
 20. The pillow of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of said reservoir chambers each communicating with a separate respective said receiving chamber in a plurality of said receiving chambers.
 21. The pillow of claim 2 further comprising: a plurality of said reservoir chambers each communicating with a separate respective said receiving chamber in a plurality of said receiving chambers.
 22. The pillow of claim 2 further comprising: a plurality of said reservoir chambers each communicating with a separate respective said receiving chamber in a plurality of said receiving chambers.
 23. The pillow of claim 1 further comprising: one or a combination of padding materials from a group of padding materials consisting of foam, batting, down, and feathers, also held in said interior cavity of said pillow.
 24. The pillow of claim 2 further comprising: one or a combination of padding materials from a group of padding materials consisting of foam, batting, down, and feathers, also held in said interior cavity of said pillow 